Facts:

• Vicente Molina and Pedro Galima were defendants in a case against the United States.
• The events occurred in March and April 1914 in Concunig, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur.
• Anacleto Alnas and his family were boiling sugar when the defendants approached them.
• The defendants claimed to have divine inspiration that could benefit the poor and invited Anacleto to witness a demonstration.
• During the demonstration, Galima cut paper while Molina performed sleight-of-hand tricks, claiming to turn the paper into real currency.
• Anacleto, initially skeptical, was persuaded to give his carabao in exchange for a promise of wealth.
• After following the defendants' instructions for several weeks, Anacleto realized he had been deceived.
• He reported the incident to local authorities, leading to the defendants' arrest.
• The Court of First Instance of Ilocos Sur found both defendants guilty of estafa and sentenced them to six months of arresto mayor, a fine of P140, subsidiary imprisonment for insolvency, and costs of the case.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The court ruled that Vicente Molina and Pedro Galima were guilty of estafa against Anacleto Alnas.
• The court determined that the aggravating circumstance of recidivism should be...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court's decision was based on the fact that the defendants used deceitful means to induce Anacleto to part with his carabao without legitimate consideration.
• The court highlighted that the defendants exploited Anacleto's ignorance and superstition, which constituted estafa as defined in the Penal Code.
• The court addressed the defense's argument regarding witness testimony, stating that multiple witnesses did not negate the possibility of the...continue reading